Last year socially distanced and scaled back remembrance services had to take place due to the Covid pandemic.
Following the lifting of all restrictions, Remembrance Sunday saw several thousand people descend on the War Memorial outside the Town Hall in Tunbridge Wells to join the mayor, armed services and local dignitaries in paying their respects to the fallen.
Joining Mayor Chris Woodward was the Royal British Legion, 128 Squadron Air Training Corps, Tunbridge Wells Sea Cadet Corps, the RTW Orpheus Male Choir, Salvation Army Band as well as Tunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark, Tom Dawlings, Leader of the Council, and Chief Executive of the Council, William Benson.
The service began at 10.50 am, leading up to the eleventh hour where the Last Post was played followed by the traditional two-minute silence.
After the ceremony, a service was conducted by the vicar of King Charles the Martyr, Reverend Laurence Powell, before the laying of wreaths.
This year’s service coincided with the Royal British Legion’s centenary, having been formed in 1921 before becoming the largest Armed Forces charity with 180,000 members, including 110,000 volunteers.
The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells Cllr Chris Woodward, who led the service at the War Memorial, said: “It was a great honour to lead this year’s Remembrance Sunday event at the War Memorial – I fully appreciate the participation of all those involved.
“Although slightly restrained over prior years, it was good to return to something more like those years, after the very quiet 2020 event – it lovingly represented our Borough’s deep respect for the serving men and women who gave their all for our nation and the freedoms it lives by today.”
How we remembered
SERVICES took place across the area on both Armistice Day and on Remembrance Sunday.
and on Remembrance Sunday. Thursday’s Armistice Day was also marked at the eleventh hour with a small service at the War Memorial in Tunbridge Wells.
Following wreath laying outside the Town Hall, the service moved to Dunorlan Park’s Victoria Cross Grove where John Cohen the Royal British Legion’s leader, Mayor Cllr Chris Woodward, along with the members of the public, all paid their respects.
In Cranbrook the Town Band led the march down the High Street from the War memorial as the traditional church service and parade returned to the town.
Remembrance Sunday saw a full turnout of legion members led by Branch Chairman Dave Hazlewood and representatives of many town organisations, including police and fire services.
Wreaths were also laid in St Dunstan’s Church and at the War Memorial.
The Scouts in Hawkhurst also laid memorial wreaths on Sunday, while in Crowbrough, Remembrance services were led by the newly formed Crowborough and District Veterans and Supporters Association.
Members paid their respects at the War Memorial on Chapel Green which included a welcome message from the Town Mayor, Councillor David Neeves.
